Tissue dispenser



Nov. 3, 1959 ERIE 2,911,175

TISSUE DISPENSER Filed June 9, 1955 Edward Erie INVENTOR.

Unite States This invention generally relates to a tissue dispenser, and more specifically provides improved and novel construction over the tissue dispenser disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 496,400, filed March 24, 1955, now abandoned.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tissue dispenser especially adapted for attachment to the interior upholstery of an automotive vehicle for dispensing disposable tissues to the occupants of such a vehicle.

Another object of the present invention'is to provide a tissue dispenser having an improved attaching means whereby the dispenser may be attached to upholstery and especially the upholstery in the overhead or headliner of an automotive vehicle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a box-like body for supporting a conventional tissue dispensing box together with improved means for supporting the tissue container so that the dispensing slot may be easily reached.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a tissue dispenser having attaching means which will be securely locked in attached position, simple in construction, easy to attach and detach, easy to refill, well adapted for its intended purposes and its relatively inexpensive manufacturing cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the bottom of the tissue dispenser construction of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the front of the construction of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing through the longitudinal center line of the tissue dispenser of the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating the construction of one of the attaching means for the tissue dispenser of the present invention.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, it will be noted that the numeral generally designates the tissue dispenser of the present invention including a generally box-like member 12 including a rear wall 14, side walls 16, and inwardly extending front flanges 18 which form an elongated and enlarged opening 20 extending longitudinally of the box-like member or body 12. One end wall is formed by inwardly extending flanges 22 on the rear wall 14 and the side walls 16. The other end of the box-like body 12 is open for the insertion of a cardboard container 23 containing a plurality of paper tissues 24 wherein the container 23 may be removed and replaced by longitudinal sliding movement thereof.

atent O The rear wall 14 is providedwith a pair of spaced and transversely aligned apertures 26 adjacent each end thereof for receiving the leg portions 28 of a U-shaped member generally designated by the numeral 30 and inincluding a bight portion 32 interconnecting the legs 28. The legs 28 are each provided with a pointed end 34 at the free ends thereof together with an oifset portion 36 intermediate the pointed ends 34 and the bight portion 30. The rear wall 14 is provided with a pair of inwardly struck and longitudinally oflset lugs or tabs 38 which are formed substantially on the longitudinal center of the body 12 and face outwardly, thereby forming entrance slots 40 for receiving the bight portion 32 of the U-shaped member 30 in a manner described hereinafter.

In assembling the body 12 on upholstery fabric 44 hav ing a backing member 46 associated therewith, the U- shaped members 30 are disposed with the outerfree ends of the legs projecting perpendicularly from the rear wall 14, substantially as illustrated in dotted lines inFigure 3 As the pointed ends 34 penetrate the upholstery fabric 44, the U-shaped member 30 is pivoted substantially about the offset portion 36 as the offset portion 36 comes into contact with the apertures 26. This permits the free ends of the legs 28 to underlie the fabric 44 and permits the bight portion 32 t0 lie against the inner surface of the rear wall 14 of the body 12. The U-shaped member 30 is made of spring steel wire wherein the bight portion 32 may be forced toward the outer end of the body 12, thereby permitting the bight portion 32 to be disposed under the lugs or tabs 38 substantially as illustrated in Figure 2 wherein the U-shaped member 30 will be retained in attaching position substantially as illustrated in Figures 1-3.

The specific orientation of the lugs 38 and the U-shaped member 30 permits the U-shaped member 30 to be securely locked in position thereby securely locking the tissue dispenser 10 of the present invention in position. The body 12 may be constructed of any suitable sheet material, such as sheet metal, plastic or the like and the U-shaped fastening members 30 may be constructed of any suitable spring wire or the like thereby rendering the device relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications: and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A tissue dispensing device for attachment to fabric material comprising a hollow box-like body having an open end and an elongated slot in one side thereof for receiving a slotted tissue dispensing container with the slot in the container aligned with the slot in the body for movement of tissues therethrough, and fabric material penetrating members mounted adjacent each end of the body, each of said members including a U-shaped wire member with pointed ends thereon, each of said U- shaped members including legs extending through apertures in the body, each of said legs having an offset adjacent the center thereof for limiting the projection of the legs through the apertures and forming a pivot point for the U-shaped members after the pointed ends of the legs are inserted through fabric material whereby the outer ends of the legs may be pivoted to a position underlying the fabric material in parallel relation to the body for attaching the body thereto, said bight portion of the U-shaped member being disposed against the inner surface of the body, said body having an inwardly struck 1 portion may be forced into a concave shape for reception under said lug thereby resiliently retaining the bight portion under said lug.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Allen l Nov. 6, 1883 Brunner et a1 Dec. 4, 1934 Burnette Nov. 26, 1940 Olsen Nov. 3, 1942 

